MED-SURG II HESI EXAM Question and
Answer 2026 | Premium Study Pack for
Nursing Success | A+ Verified
• what general health condition would be a reason to delay surgery? -✓✓current upper
respiratory infection
• what medications can increase surgical risks? -✓✓-anticoagulants
-tranquilizers (hypotension)
-heroin (CNS depression)
-antibiotics
-diuretics
-steroids
-OTC/herbs
-Vitamin E
• what post operative plans should a nurse include in her pre-operative teaching? -✓✓-
respiratory care: ventilator? incentive spirometer?
-activity: ROM? early ambulation?
-pain control: PCA? IM meds?
-dietary restrictions
-ICU or PACU orientation
• when is it appropriate for the nurse to mark the operative site on the patient? -✓✓-
right or left distinctions
-multiple structures: fingers/toes
-levels: spinal procedures
• what assessments are made immediately of the patient arrival in the PACU? -✓✓-
vitals
-level of consciousness
-skin color & condition
-dressing location & condition
-IV fluids
-drainage tubes
-position
-o2 sat levels
• when is a client moved from the PACU to the floor/unit? -✓✓when the client is
stabilized
• what should be monitored in the immediate post-operative period? -✓✓monitor for
signs of shock & hemorrhage
,-hypotension
-narrow pulse pressure
-rapid weak pulse
-cold moist skin
-increased capillary filling time
• what are some post-operative nursing interventions? -✓✓-position client on side to
prevent aspiration
-keep warm - heated blanket
-anti-emetics & NG suctioning for N/V
-analgesics for pain
• post-op complications: urinary retention -✓✓-occurs 8-12 hrs post op
-monitor hydration status
-encourage oral intake
-offer bedpan or assist to commode
• post-op complications: pulmonary probs -✓✓-atelectasis, pneumonia, embolus
-occurs 1-2 days post op
-assist pt to TCDB
-keep hydrated
-enable early ambulation
-provide incentive spirometer
• post-op complications: wound healing probs -✓✓-occurs 5-6 days post op
-splint incision when coughing
-monitor for s/s of infection, malnutrition, dehydration
-provide high protein diet
• wound dehiscence -✓✓the separation of the wound edges that is more likely to occur
with vertical incisions
• wound evisceration -✓✓the protrusion of intestinal contents more likely to occur in
older, diabetic, obese, malnourished, or prolonged paralytic ileus pts
• post-op complications: UTI's -✓✓-occurs 5-8 days post op
-oral fluid intake
-empty bladder q 4-6 hrs
-monitor I & O's
-avoid catheterization if possible
• post-op complications: thrombophlebitis -✓✓-occurs 5-8 days post op
-leg exercises q 8 hrs while in bed
-early ambuation
-TED hose or sequential compression devices
,-DO NOT raise knee gatch on bed
-DO NOT place pillows beneath knees
-no crossing legs at knees
-low-dose heparin
• post-op complications: decreased GI peristalsis -✓✓-constipation & paralytic ileus
-occurs 2-4 days post op
-NG tube: decompression
-limit use of narcotic analgesics (dec peristalsis)
-early ambulation
• why do we prep the bowels before a surgery involving the intestinal tract? -✓✓-to
decrease the bacterial count w/in the intestinal tract
-to empty the intestine of stool
-ultimately: to help reduce the risk of infection in the postoperative period
• roles of the circulating nurse -✓✓-pt advocate
-obtains necessary supplies for the procedure
-ensures diagnostic studies & bld products are available
-prepares OR table
-positions the pt (pads bony prominences prn)
-cleanses skin in operative area before positioning surgical drapes
-assists other team members into gowns & gloves
• roles of the scrub nurse -✓✓-sets up the sterile field
-assists w/ draping the pt
-hands sterile supplies into the operative field & takes used instruments from the
surgeon
• roles of holding area nurse -✓✓-cares for/manages the pts who have been brought
into the OR suite but are not yet ready to go into the actual OR
-helps transport & transfer pts
• how must a patient be positioned after a procedure that used spinal anesthesia? -
✓✓the pt must remain FLAT to avoid leakage of CSF from the puncture site
• describe priority of assessments in the PACU -✓✓-initial: ABC's (airway, breathing,
circulation); watch for stridor from edema or bronchospasms
-next: CV status
-vitals q 15 min until stable
-neuro: level of consciousness
-GI: n/v
-labs
, • what are some major CV post-op complications? -✓✓-MI: elevated troponin levels, ST
elevation or T wave inversion for ischemia
-arrhythmias
-hypotension (orthostatic)
-DVT: clots on ultasound
• what are some major respiratory post-op complications? -✓✓-atelectasis (CXR shows
collapsed area)
-pneumonia (CXR shows area of infiltration)
-pulmonary embolism (CXR shows wedge infiltrate)
• what are some major GI post-op complications? -✓✓-N/V
-constipation (x-ray shows stool; slow/dec bowel sounds)
-paralytic ileus (x-ray shows gas in intestines; absent bowel sounds)
• what are the s/s of malignant hyperthermia? -✓✓-tachycardia, tachypnea
-cyanosis
-fever
-muscle rigidity
-diaphoresis
-mottled skin
-hypotension
-dec UOP
-cardiac arrest
• what is the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia? -✓✓tachycardia
• when should the nurse expect malignant hyperthermia to occur in the peri-operative
period? -✓✓-10-20 after anesthesia started
-first 24 hrs post-op
• what are the s/s of hypovolemic shock? -✓✓-pallor
-rapid weak thready pulse
-low BP
-rapid breathing
• how far in advance should a patient stop taking aspirin before surgery? -✓✓7-10 days
• why is NPO status so important prior to surgery? -✓✓to avoid aspiration
• s/s of IV infiltration -✓✓-edema, discomfort/pain, redness, coolness at site, leakage
• s/s of extravasation of IV -✓✓-inflammation, blistering, & necrosis at site
• s/s of IV phlebitis -✓✓-redness, tender/pain, swelling (inflammation of the vessel)
Answer 2026 | Premium Study Pack for
Nursing Success | A+ Verified
• what general health condition would be a reason to delay surgery? -✓✓current upper
respiratory infection
• what medications can increase surgical risks? -✓✓-anticoagulants
-tranquilizers (hypotension)
-heroin (CNS depression)
-antibiotics
-diuretics
-steroids
-OTC/herbs
-Vitamin E
• what post operative plans should a nurse include in her pre-operative teaching? -✓✓-
respiratory care: ventilator? incentive spirometer?
-activity: ROM? early ambulation?
-pain control: PCA? IM meds?
-dietary restrictions
-ICU or PACU orientation
• when is it appropriate for the nurse to mark the operative site on the patient? -✓✓-
right or left distinctions
-multiple structures: fingers/toes
-levels: spinal procedures
• what assessments are made immediately of the patient arrival in the PACU? -✓✓-
vitals
-level of consciousness
-skin color & condition
-dressing location & condition
-IV fluids
-drainage tubes
-position
-o2 sat levels
• when is a client moved from the PACU to the floor/unit? -✓✓when the client is
stabilized
• what should be monitored in the immediate post-operative period? -✓✓monitor for
signs of shock & hemorrhage
,-hypotension
-narrow pulse pressure
-rapid weak pulse
-cold moist skin
-increased capillary filling time
• what are some post-operative nursing interventions? -✓✓-position client on side to
prevent aspiration
-keep warm - heated blanket
-anti-emetics & NG suctioning for N/V
-analgesics for pain
• post-op complications: urinary retention -✓✓-occurs 8-12 hrs post op
-monitor hydration status
-encourage oral intake
-offer bedpan or assist to commode
• post-op complications: pulmonary probs -✓✓-atelectasis, pneumonia, embolus
-occurs 1-2 days post op
-assist pt to TCDB
-keep hydrated
-enable early ambulation
-provide incentive spirometer
• post-op complications: wound healing probs -✓✓-occurs 5-6 days post op
-splint incision when coughing
-monitor for s/s of infection, malnutrition, dehydration
-provide high protein diet
• wound dehiscence -✓✓the separation of the wound edges that is more likely to occur
with vertical incisions
• wound evisceration -✓✓the protrusion of intestinal contents more likely to occur in
older, diabetic, obese, malnourished, or prolonged paralytic ileus pts
• post-op complications: UTI's -✓✓-occurs 5-8 days post op
-oral fluid intake
-empty bladder q 4-6 hrs
-monitor I & O's
-avoid catheterization if possible
• post-op complications: thrombophlebitis -✓✓-occurs 5-8 days post op
-leg exercises q 8 hrs while in bed
-early ambuation
-TED hose or sequential compression devices
,-DO NOT raise knee gatch on bed
-DO NOT place pillows beneath knees
-no crossing legs at knees
-low-dose heparin
• post-op complications: decreased GI peristalsis -✓✓-constipation & paralytic ileus
-occurs 2-4 days post op
-NG tube: decompression
-limit use of narcotic analgesics (dec peristalsis)
-early ambulation
• why do we prep the bowels before a surgery involving the intestinal tract? -✓✓-to
decrease the bacterial count w/in the intestinal tract
-to empty the intestine of stool
-ultimately: to help reduce the risk of infection in the postoperative period
• roles of the circulating nurse -✓✓-pt advocate
-obtains necessary supplies for the procedure
-ensures diagnostic studies & bld products are available
-prepares OR table
-positions the pt (pads bony prominences prn)
-cleanses skin in operative area before positioning surgical drapes
-assists other team members into gowns & gloves
• roles of the scrub nurse -✓✓-sets up the sterile field
-assists w/ draping the pt
-hands sterile supplies into the operative field & takes used instruments from the
surgeon
• roles of holding area nurse -✓✓-cares for/manages the pts who have been brought
into the OR suite but are not yet ready to go into the actual OR
-helps transport & transfer pts
• how must a patient be positioned after a procedure that used spinal anesthesia? -
✓✓the pt must remain FLAT to avoid leakage of CSF from the puncture site
• describe priority of assessments in the PACU -✓✓-initial: ABC's (airway, breathing,
circulation); watch for stridor from edema or bronchospasms
-next: CV status
-vitals q 15 min until stable
-neuro: level of consciousness
-GI: n/v
-labs
, • what are some major CV post-op complications? -✓✓-MI: elevated troponin levels, ST
elevation or T wave inversion for ischemia
-arrhythmias
-hypotension (orthostatic)
-DVT: clots on ultasound
• what are some major respiratory post-op complications? -✓✓-atelectasis (CXR shows
collapsed area)
-pneumonia (CXR shows area of infiltration)
-pulmonary embolism (CXR shows wedge infiltrate)
• what are some major GI post-op complications? -✓✓-N/V
-constipation (x-ray shows stool; slow/dec bowel sounds)
-paralytic ileus (x-ray shows gas in intestines; absent bowel sounds)
• what are the s/s of malignant hyperthermia? -✓✓-tachycardia, tachypnea
-cyanosis
-fever
-muscle rigidity
-diaphoresis
-mottled skin
-hypotension
-dec UOP
-cardiac arrest
• what is the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia? -✓✓tachycardia
• when should the nurse expect malignant hyperthermia to occur in the peri-operative
period? -✓✓-10-20 after anesthesia started
-first 24 hrs post-op
• what are the s/s of hypovolemic shock? -✓✓-pallor
-rapid weak thready pulse
-low BP
-rapid breathing
• how far in advance should a patient stop taking aspirin before surgery? -✓✓7-10 days
• why is NPO status so important prior to surgery? -✓✓to avoid aspiration
• s/s of IV infiltration -✓✓-edema, discomfort/pain, redness, coolness at site, leakage
• s/s of extravasation of IV -✓✓-inflammation, blistering, & necrosis at site
• s/s of IV phlebitis -✓✓-redness, tender/pain, swelling (inflammation of the vessel)
